159 - Zeiss Ikon | Contax II Binoculars Kit

Zeiss Ikon | Contax II Binoculars Kit Estimate: €26,000–30,000 Year: c. 1941 Condition: B- English: Exceptionally rare German military photographic observation kit from the collection of the Deutsches Fotomuseum, Markkleeberg. The kit comprises a Contax II no. G.8139, with the serial number stamped only internally on the camera body and inside the baseplate; the inner baseplate is additionally hand-engraved with “Mi,” presumably indicating military use. Includes a Zeiss Ikon Flektoskop 5522/23 and a military-green painted Carl Zeiss Jena Triplet 4.8/50cm, no. 2660436 (one of only four lenses manufactured in 1941 for the German military), the lens barrel is additionally engraved with “N135.” Accompanying the photographic unit is a matching Carl Zeiss Jena Scherenfernrohr, finished in the same military green, mounted on the corresponding tripod head engraved “bef 14573” (the wartime manufacturer code “bef” identifying Clemens Riefler, Fabrik mathematischer Instrumente, Nesselwang, Bavaria). This possibly unique set comes with a heavy tripod. The camera, long-focus lens, Flektoskop, and Scherenfernrohr are clearly configured as a coordinated long-range photographic and optical observation system, intended for precise distant observation and photographic documentation. The set is in used condition with some small parts missing. The engraving “bef 14573” is s German: Exceptionally rare German military photographic and observation equipment, from the collection of the German Museum of Photography, Markkleeberg. The set includes a Contax II No. G.8139, whose serial number is stamped exclusively on the inside of the camera body and on the inside of the base plate. The base plate also bears the hand-engraved marking “Mi” on the inside, possibly an indication of military use. Includes a Zeiss Ikon Flektoskop 5522/23 and a military-green painted Carl Zeiss Jena Triplet 4.8/50 cm No. 2660436 (one of only four lenses manufactured for the German military in 1941) with “N135” engraved on the lens barrel. Also included is a matching Carl Zeiss Jena binocular in the same military-green finish, with the tripod head engraved “bef 14573” (the wartime manufacturer code “bef” stands for Clemens Riefler, Factory for Mathematical Instruments, Nesselwang, Bavaria). This potentially unique set also includes a heavy tripod. The camera, the 50-cm telephoto lens, the Flektoskop, and the folding telescope form a coordinated photographic and optical remote observation system for the precise observation and photographic documentation of distant objects. In used condition; some individual parts are missing.